March is Severe Weather Awareness Month. The City of Midlothian wants to help our community prepare for severe weather. Here are some tips on how to prepare to protect you and your loved ones. Visit our Emergency Preparedness web page to access information about all types of emergencies.
First of all, make a plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to prepare ahead of time. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.
Step 1: Put a plan together by discussing the questions below with your family, friends, or others in your household to start your emergency plan.
- How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings? Tip: Register for MidlothianSafe Emergency Alerts.
- What is my shelter plan?
- What is my evacuation route?
- What is my family/household communication plan?
- Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?
Step 2: Consider specific needs in your household.
As you prepare, tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the household can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets, or specific needs like operating medical equipment. Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance. Keep these factors in mind when developing your plan:
- Different ages of members within your household
- Responsibilities for assisting others
- Locations frequented
- Dietary needs
- Medical needs including prescriptions and equipment
- Disabilities or access and functional needs including devices and equipment
- Languages spoken
- Cultural and religious considerations
- Pets or service animals
- Households with school-aged children
Step 3: Make a family emergency plan.
Step 4: Practice your plan with your family/household.
For more specific details about preparing your plan, visit the Ready.Gov website.